A decade of changes to parks, homes and school programs in Institute
Institute, home to West Virginia State University, a historically Black university, is a small community roughly 10 miles upriver from Charleston that has seen a lot of change over the last decade. Between a massive overhaul to neighboring park space and the advent of impactful school programs, long-time residents and even some college students in the short-term have watched the community develop in strides. While there are still some improvements to be made to the community's homes and environment, some things are better left untouched, like Institute's renowned restaurants.
Shawnee Sports Complex replaces golf with expansive athletic amenities
Before 2017, the area directly east of Institute was a golf course frequented by many, if not for its 18 holes, then surely for its clubhouse bar. Nowadays, the Shawnee Sports Complex sits where the golf course once was. The expansive riverside athletic compound features numerous baseball diamonds, soccer fields and football gridirons for rent, plus a swimming pool and pickleball courts. Some things haven't changed – The old public boat ramp is still there for paddling trips down the Kanawha River, and the clubhouse bar is still going strong. But now, the sounds of wood irons pinging no longer ring out on weekend evenings. Instead, Institute's residents now listen from their back porches to the sounds of cheering crowds at baseball and lacrosse tournaments.
Run clubs, kids days and WVSU basketball games
In addition to football, lacrosse and soccer tournaments for teams across the state, the Shawnee Sports Complex also plays host to numerous events catered to locals. Early birds often go there on Saturday mornings to join the Run and Walk Club, perhaps to practice for the annual 5K race, which is followed by a brunch event. WVSU also entertains sporty locals with basketball games at the Walker Convocation Center. East of Institute, the Dunbar Recreation Center sometimes hosts a Kids Day, a community get-together featuring DJ sets, inflatable obstacle courses and bicycle giveaways. Everything is free at Kids Day, from admission to raffle tickets, down to the barbecue lunch.
Popular barbecue names and James Beard-winning chef creations next door
There aren't many commercial options in Institute, but what few businesses are there tend to be well-known around Charleston. Ridge View BBQ is one of Charleston's most popular names in the barbecue game, often setting up a mobile smoker at events and festivals all over. Although that means their brick-and-mortar location on Fairlawn Avenue is closed on weekends, during the week, it keeps busy with hungry diners eager for pulled pork and sides. Over at Shawnee Sports Complex, the Pitch Sports Bar and Grill might appear to just be an unassuming sports bar in a former golf course clubhouse. But in fact, its long menus of craft beers and hearty bar foods are both the brainchild of Chef Paul Smith, West Virginia's first-ever James Beard Award finalist.
Investment properties are expanding options beyond rentals
Institute isn't exactly brimming with sales. Rental options are more common, especially for students and retirees. But there are nonetheless many single-family homes in the community – they just don't go up for sale very often. Institute mostly consists of red brick Colonial Revivals and Craftsman cottages, which hang off of WVSU campus in small, grid-pattern residential pockets. Midcentury ranch-style homes and split-levels are also quite common. Some homes are in need of repairs while others are in turnkey condition. While pricing data is scarce, a few single-family homes have recently sold for between $55,000 and $160,000.
West Virginia's first high school offering an IB program
Students begin school at Dunbar Primary, which has a B-minus rating from Niche. Dunbar Primary tends to be known for its diversity and its small class sizes, which are typically below the national average of 17 students per teacher. Dunbar Middle School, rated C, is the next step for most students, followed by South Charleston High School, rated B-minus. In 2022, South Charleston High School became the first public high school in West Virginia to offer an International Baccalaureate program.
Bus routes and Interstates to supermarkets in Dunbar
Bus routes on Fairlawn Avenue make it easy for residents and students to make trips east to the supermarkets and other commercial options in Dunbar. Most residents depend on a car to get around though, which is made easier by access ramps to Interstate 64 directly north of Institute.
Mild flooding risk and ongoing industrial cleanups
Most of the area's riverfront comprises flood zone x, meaning there is a mild-to-moderate risk of flooding along the Kanawha River. Further inland, the rest of the area is not in a flood zone.
Institute also abuts a Union Carbide-owned industrial plant. The site has been a major employer for many locals in the region for decades. But it has also been a sore subject for WVSU and some Institute residents, who filed a lawsuit in 2017 against Union Carbide, claiming its site had tainted local groundwater. According to map data from the Environmental Protection Agency, there is ongoing corrective action being done to the Union Carbide facility.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Transit
Airport
West Virginia International Yeager
26 min drive
Bus
Wv State University (Ferrell Hall)
Bus
Wv State University (Fairlawn Ave)
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Institute
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Institute, Charleston sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Institute, Charleston over the last 12 months is $107,500, up 73% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Spanning over 3 acres of prime real estate, this property offers approximately 2 acres of level land. Conveniently located just minutes from I-64 and in close proximity to WV State University, it boasts 348 feet of frontage of West Virginia State Route 25, and is only minutes away from the Shawnee Sports Complex.
Sara SteortsBetter Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Debra Douglass,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
429
Median Age
32
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$43,240
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$50,363
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
23.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.2%
% Population in Labor Force
65.6%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
40/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
23/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
